“We all eat, and it would be a sad waste of opportunity to eat badly.” —Anna Thomas
It would be both true and a cliché to say that the food scene on the North Fork is an embarrassment of riches. You could literally spend an entire day just eating your way through Greenport — and there’s something for everyone. We are very lucky to be in a community with such a thriving, deeply ingrained food culture, from farms that grow our produce and raise chickens for eggs and livestock for dairy and meat, to restaurants that serve and employ thousands every year.
To me, food is both festive and fascinating. I am always eager to try new restaurants or visit a regular haunt with friends and family, but the thing that really interests me is the story behind the meal. Where did the recipe come from? Who came up with this delectable dish? Where did what’s on my plate come from?
This issue of Northforker explores the ins and outs of food, from farm to table, from dish to mouth. After years of frequenting Riverhead Tex-Mex mecca Funchos, I finally sat down with the owner, Al Zavala, and learned about how the colorful and funky spot came to be. Unsurprisingly, the eclectic menu and delicious flavors were born of a mother and son who have cooked together for a lifetime. I was so grateful to meet Zavala and his family — and I didn’t hesitate to try some of his signature menu items.
Did you know that award-winning Times Review Media Group editor-in-chief Amy Zavatto is a butcher’s daughter? She leveraged her considerable knowledge of all things meat in a story about the North Fork’s cattle farmers and learned that while some of their approaches to farming might differ, they all care deeply about the land and the quality of life of the animals they raise.
If, like me, you are not a natural chef — I’m much better at eating than I am cooking — then maybe you’d like to take a cooking class led by a North Fork chef. Contributor Lauren Parker found some unique and varied cooking classes that are held regularly right in our area, from farm-sourced dishes to Japanese and French specialties, to gaining a prowess for paella.
We leveraged just about every cheese pun in the book for Charity Robey’s profile on the King Andrew Cheese Wagon — yes, it’s literally an old-fashioned, Oregon Trail-style wagon where cheese is sold — on Shelter Island. But aside from finding creative ways to say “whey,” we also learned a lot about the cheese on offer and its owners, Reeve Andrew and Jessie King.
As a Greenport resident, I often visit Aldo’s for a nice cup of coffee and biscotti. The café has been under new ownership for a full year, so I sat down with co-owner Josh Sommer and new roaster Rae McMahon to talk about what’s new, what’s old and what’s to come for the storied coffee shop. You may be surprised about some of their plans — in a good way!
This issue is full of culinary delights elsewhere, too. Visit About Food in Southold for some gourmet shopping. Find some outside-the-box breakfast goodies to start your day off on a good foot. Dine with us at First & South. And get to know Country Corner Cafe owner Martin Lynch and what he loves about living on the North Fork. We also looked into staying at some of the loveliest hotels on the North Fork post-Labor Day, and explored a cool new theater troupe.
Whether you’re a fine diner or prefer fast casual, I know you’ll find something in this issue that makes your mouth water with anticipation. Mangia!
Lee Meyer
Managing Editor
